Feeler mechanism for looms



Dec. ,24, 1929. P. KEEGAN FEBLER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS a w I //v VENTOR.

@M BY 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 25, 1929 ATT O Ri/ f Dec. 24, 1929.P. KEEGAN FEELER MECHAN ISM FOR LOOMS Filed April 25, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 /N l ENTOfP: W BY ATfbR/VE Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITEDstarts PATENT OFFICE PATRICK KEEGAN, C-F FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS,ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPO- RATION, 0F HOPEDAIIE, MASSACHUSETTS, ACORPORATION OF MAINE FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Application filed April23,

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms whereby theeperative condition of the loom is changed when the filling becomessubstantially exhausted, is more particularly directed to feelermechanisms of the intermittent type.

The change in the operative condition of the loom may result in loomstoppage, or, as is more frequently the case, a fresh supply of fillingmay be automatically furnished. Looms containing feeler mechanisms toeffect the desired results are commonly known as feeler looms, and wherereplenishment of filling is the object sought, it may be efiected bychanging the substantially exhausted filling carrier or bobbin in theshuttle for another having a working supply of filling wound thereon, orby changing the shuttle for another having a working supply of filling.

In feeler mechanisms of the intermittent type, the feeler member isordinarily held in the front or inactive position for an interval oftime and released to its feeler action periodically during weaving withthe same supply of filling in the shuttle. This recurring action of thefeeler member injuriously affects the filling, especially when it is ofcertain kind or character, because the teeth on the feeler member sinkinto the filling on detecting beats during its periods of activity. Thisinjurious effect of the feeler member upon the filling is particularlyobservable where the feeler member is of the side slipping type, byreason of the tendency of the feeler to partake of its side slippingmovement during its periods of activity.

An important feature of the present invention consists of a feelermechanism wherein the feeler member is held in front position duringweaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, until thefilling has reached a predetermined degree of exhaustion and isthereupon released to its feeler action to call for a. change in theloom operation when the filling is substantially exhausted.

In accordance with the present invention, the side slipping feeler isassociated with a second feeler member which enters the shut- 1929.Serial NO. 357,557.

tle on each detecting beat and feels for the filling, and on the secondfeeler member is a trip which is normally inactive and is brought intooperative position to effect release of the side slipping feeler whenthe second feeler enters the shuttle to a predetermined extent,signifying thereby that the filling is approaching substantialexhaustion.

The invention and novel features thereof will best be made clear fromthe following description and the accompanying drawings of one good formthereof.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of portions of a loomprovided with the present inventlon;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the feeler mechanism, the shuttle andcontents being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a plan View showing the relation of parts when the sideslipping and second feeler members are moved frontwardly on the firstdetecting beat following a replenish ing operation; and

Fig. 4: is a similar view to that of Fig. 3, showing the relation ofparts when the sec- 0nd feeler member detects a predetermined degree offilling exhaustion.

In the present instance of the invention, the feeler mechanism is shownas applied to a filling replenishing loom, but the replenishingmechanism and the details thereof are not herein shown and describedbecause such details form no part of the present invention and are nowwell understood in the art.

The loom frame may be of usual construction and have extending from oneside thereof a shipper stand 1 having an outwardly extending portion 2provided with a slot 3 for the adjustable support of a bracket 4 bymeans of a bolt 5, as more clearlv indicated in Fig. 1. v

Mounted upon the upper surface of the bracket 4 is the feeler stand 6which may be adjustably secured to the bracket 4 by means of a bolt 7passed through a slot 8 formed in the feeler stand.

lVhile the present invention is comprehenlOU sive of any usual characterof side slipping feeler member, such member, in the present instance ofthe invention, is shown as of the inclined type, that is, the sideslipping feeler is mounted upon the feeler stand to enter the shuttleduring its active period in a direction inclined to the longitudinalaxis of the shut tle; but, as above indicated, other types of sideslipping feelers may be advantageously 10 employed within the true scopeof the present invention.

The feeler stand 6 is provided at its rear portion with a slotted guide9 of sufiicient dimensions to permit side slipping movement of thefeeler 10 to call for a change of filling. The side slipping feeler 10extends through the slotted guide 9 and the rear portion of the feeleris provided with one or more teeth 11 which, during the active period ofthe feeler,

'20 may enter the shuttle and engage the filling. The feeler member 10has the frontwardly extending stem 12 which passes through a swivelblock 13 at the front of the feeler stand, and interposed between theswivel block 13 and a shoulder 14 carried by the feeler is a spring 15normally acting to move the feeler into its rearward feeling position,the construction being such that should the feeler detect substantialexhaustion of filling dur ing its active period, it may side slip underthe frontward' pressure of a surface within the shuttle and call for achange of filling.

' As before noted, the replenishing mechanism and its details are nothere shown, but

associated with the side slipping'feeler is a transmitter 16 mountedforsliding movement in a guide 17 and having its upturned end 18 normallybearing against the side of the side slipping feeler, with the resultthat shouldthe side slipping feeler partake of its side slippingmovement, the transmitter 16 will be actuated to call for a change offilling.

Secured to the feeler 10 is the frontward 1y extending arm 19 which maybe conveniently secured to the feeler by a screw bolt 20, and thefrontwardly extending portion of the arm 19 is provided with a tooth 21,frontward of which is a plain portion 22, for a purpose that willpresently appear. 7

Rising from the feeler stand are the bracket members 23 between which ismounted the rock shaft 24; having secured thereto a catch 25 andnormally under the influence of a spring 26 to depress the free end ofthe catch 3 into engagement with the tooth 21 on the arm 19 when theside slipping feeler 10 is moved frontwardly by a fresh supply offilling in the V shuttle on the first detecting beat followingreplenishment, with the result that the side slipping feeler, when thusmoved frontwardly, will be held in a front position by the catch 25, sothat the toothed end portion 11 of the side slipping feeler may notinjuriously engage the filling on detecting beats. 1 Only sufficientportionsof the lay and shuttle box are shown to make clear the relationof the feeler mechanism and the shuttle when positioned in the detectingbox.

The detecting shuttle box 27 is shown as broken away, but its front wallhas the usual open slot for the entrance of the feeler on a detectingbeat when the side slipping feeler is in its rearward feeling position.

The shuttle 28 carries the usual filling car rier or bobbin 29 on whichthe filling 30 is wound, and the front wall 31 of the shuttle isprovided with the usual feeler slot 32.

In accordance with the present invention, the side slipping feeler 10has associated therewith a second feeler member which is also mounted onthe feeler stand for movement towards and from the front of the loom,and such second feeler member is continuously active to feel for thefilling in the shuttle on each detecting beat and be moved frontwardlythereby.

The second feeler member is indicated at 33 and its frontwardlyextending stem 34 passes through the swivel block 35 between which and ashoulder 36 onthe second feeler member is a spring 37 normally acting tomove the second feeler member rearwardly into its filling feelerposition.

In accordance with the present invention, the second feeler member iscontinuously active, as hereinbefore stated, and to prevent injuriouseffect upon the filling the second feeler member is provided with afibrous filling feeler portion or end 38 which may be secured to therear end portion of the second feeler member in appropriate manner, but,as shown, is confined thereto by a plate 39 secured to the second feelermemben by suitable bolts or rivets 10.

The rearward movement of the second feeler member 33 is limited by asuitable stop which, in the present instance, consists of a pin 41extending between the lower wall of the slotted guide 9 and a coverplate 42, which is engaged by a shoulder 13 formed in the second feelermember by a slotted portion e41, as more clearly indicated in Fig; 3,the construction being such that under the impulse of the second feelermember spring 37 the second feeler 33 will be normally held in itsrearward position, as defined by the stop or pin, and have permissivefrontward movement. p e

The present invention contemplates that the side slipping feeler becontinuously held in its front position during weaving with the samesupply of filling in the shuttle, until the filling has been exhaustedto a predetermined amount, and shall thereupon be freed to its period ofactivity and remain active until, upon substantial exhaustion offilling, the side slipping feeler will partake of its side slippingmovement and call for change of filling. V

In accordance with this feature of the invent'ion, the second feelermember is provided with a trip normally held in its inoperative positionrelative to the catch until the second feeler member detects apredetermined amount of filling in the shuttle, whereupon the trip ismoved into its operative relation with respect to the catch to releasethe side slipping feeler from the catch and permit the former to performits feeling function.

Pivotally mounted upon the second feeler member 83 at is a trip 46, thefrontward- 1y extending portion of which has a lifting cam 47 adapted toengage a pin 48 extending laterally from the catch 25, such engagementbeing effective to trip the catch 25 only when the trip 46 isoperatively positioned relative thereto.

The trip 46 is normally under the influence of a spring 19 supported bya bracket- 50 extending laterally from the second feeler member 33, withthe result that the trip d6 is normally held in its inoperative positionrelative to the catch.

The trip 46 is provided with a laterally extending lug 51 near its rearportion through which is extended the threaded shank 52 of a hunter 53adapted to be engaged by a surface on the lay, such, for instance, asthe front wall of the shuttle, only when the sec ond feeler member 33detects approach to substantial exhaustion of filling in the shuttle,or, in other words, enters the shuttle to a predetermined extent.

lVhen the second feeler member detects the condition. above stated andthe bunter contacts with the frontwardly moving surface on the lay, thetrip 46 will have its front end portion or cam 4? moved laterally intooperative relation with the pin on he catch, with the result that as thesecond feeler member is moved frontwardly by the beat-up movement of thelay, the cam l? will lift the catch from engagementwith the holdingtooth 21 and permit the side slipping feeler to move rearwardly intofeeling position, where it will remain on subsequent beat-up movementsof the lay until the filling is substantially exhausted, whereupon, theside slipping feeler will be moved longitudinally of the shuttle by thefrontward pressure of the filling carrier, and call for a change offilling.

hen the filling has been changed and the shuttle reaches the detectingbox, it will engage the side slipping feeler and move it frontwardly forengagement of the catch 25 with the notch 21 on the side slippin feeler,due to the mass of wound filling in the shuttle, and thereafter the sideslipping feeler will remain in its frontposition until the second feelerdetects a predetermined exhaustion of filling, whereupon the operationis repeated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a. first feelermember mounted for movement towards and from the front the loom and in adirection longitudinally of the shuttle, a catch for holding the feelerin a front position, a second feeler member mounted to enter the shuttleon detecting beats and to be moved frontwardly by the filling, a tripmounted on the second feeler and moved into operative posit-ion by apart on the lay when the second feeler detects a near approach tosubstantial exhaustion of filling and to trip the catch by its frontwardmovement and permit the first feeler member to move to filling feelerposition.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a side slippingfeeler member, a catch for continuously holding the side slipping feelermember in front position until the filling has been exhausted to apredetermined amount, a second feeler member mounted for movementtowards the front of the loom by engagement with the filling ondetecting beats, a trip mounted on the second feeler member and movedrelative thereto by a part on the lay when the second feeler deteets apredetermined exhaustion of filling, and a part on the t 'ip fortripping the catch by frontward movement of the second feeler to freethe side slipping feeler to its feeling action.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a side slippingfeeler, a catch for continuously holding the side slipping feeler infront position until the filling has been exhausted to a predeterminedamount, a second feeler member mounted to enter the shuttle and feel thefilling on each detecting beat, a trip mounted on the second feeler andmoved relative thereto into operative relation with the catch when thesecond feeler enters the shuttle to apredetermined extent, and a partmounted on the trip for tripping the catch and freeing the side slippingfeeler by frontward movement of the second feeler after it has detecteda predetermined exhaustion of filling.

4:. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a side slipping feeler, a catch for continuously holdingthe side slipping feeler in front position until the filling has beenexhausted to a predetermined amount, a second feeler member mounted toenter the shuttle and feel for filling on each detecting beat, a trippivotally connected to the second feeler and having a bunter forengagement by a surface on the lay to operatively position the trip withrelation to the catch when the second feeler enters the shuttle to apredetermined extent that the trip will free the side slipping feelerfrom the catch only after the filling has been exhausted to apredetermined amount.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a side slippingfeeler, a catch i for continuously holding the side slipping ing asmooth filling-engaging em" feeler in front position to preventinjurious contact with the filling, a second feeler hav- .l 0 contactwith the filling on each detecting h at, a trip for the catch normallyheld in nontripping position on the second feeler until the secondfeeler enters the shuttle a predetermined amount on a detecting beat, ahunter on the trip for engagement With a surrace on the front )ositionuntil the fillin is exhausted to l a a predetermined amount, a secondinclined feeler to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and engagethe filling, a trip mounted on the second feeler and normally held ininoperative position relative to the catch until the second feelerenters the shuttle to a predetermined extent, and means carried by thetrip for then moving it into operative position relative to the catch totrip the catch and free the inclined side slipping feeler for movementto the feeling position.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a sideslipping'feeler mounted to enter the shuttle in a direction inclined tothe longitudinal axis thereof, a catch for holding the inclined sideslipping feeler in front position until the filling is exhausted to apredetermined amount, a second inclined feeler to enter the shuttle oneach detecting beat and having a fibrous tip to engage the filling, atrip mounted on the second 'feeler and normally held in inoperativeposition relative to the catch until the second feeler enters theshuttle to a predetermined extent, and means carried by the trip forthen moving it into operative position relative to the catch to trip thecatch and free the inclined side slipping feeler for movement to feelingposition. a

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms,'the combination of a side slippingfeeler mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle by thefrontvvard pressure of a'surface within the shuttle when the filling issubstantially exhausted on a detecting beat, a catch for holding theside slipping feeler in front position until the filling is depleted toa predetermined extent, a second feeler mounted to enter the shuttle andengage the filling on each detecting beat, a trip for the catch mountedon the second feeler and normally held in an inoperative position untilthe second feeler enters the shuttle to a predeten mined extent andthereupon moved by a surface on the lay into its operative position toeffect release of the side slipping feeler as the second feeler ismovedfrontwardly.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a side slippingfeeler, a catch for continuously holding the side slipping feeler infront position until the filling has been exhausted to a predeterminedamount, a second feeler member mounted to enter the shuttle and feel thefilling on each detecting beat, a trip pivotally mounted on the secondfeeler and having an off-set bunter for engagement by a surface on thelay when the second feeler enters the shuttle to a predetermined extentto thereby operatively position the trip relative to the catch, a springnormally holding the trip in an inoperative position, and a part carriedby the trip for freeing the side slipping feeler from the catch as thesecond feeler is moved frontwardly.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

PATRICK KEEGAN.

